Colonels defeat Defiance College
The Centre College baseball team defeated Defiance College Friday, March 9 at Wright Field in Danville, Ky. Centre beat the Yellow Jackets 6-5 to get its fourth win of the season. Good fielding, strong pitching and smart batting helped the Colonels take control of the game.
Centre kept Defiance shutout for the first four innings. While performing well on defense, the offense stepped in and also did its job, bringing in runs in the first three innings. In the bottom of the first Centre brought in two runs when senior Eric Moore (Bowling Green, Ky.) doubled. He was able to get home on the next play after senior Kyle Rakes (Ashland, Ky.) reached first off an error by Defiance's shortstop. Sophomore Jake Jones (Griffin, Ga.) smashed a triple and drove Rakes in for the second and final run of the inning.
It was all Centre again the the second when it turned three quick outs and stepped up to bat again. This time it was Moore who drove in senior Andy Placido (Harrodsburg, Ky.) for the run. Centre struck again in the bottom of the third, getting another run and taking its lead to 4-0. Junior Kevin McGee batted in sophomore Brandon Rosen (Ashland, Ky.) for the run. Centre experienced some problems in the top of the fifth when the Yellow Jackets finally got on the scoreboard. They posted four runs off four big hits and tied the game.
It was Centre in the bottom of the seventh that broke the deadlock. Jones singled and drove Moore home. Defiance had its chance in the top of the ninth, however, and tied the game 5-5. In the final inning of the game Centre got the winning run when Rosen batted home sophomore Cameron Henzman (Lexington, Ky.).
Freshmen Justin Basham (Bowling Green, Ky.) pitched the first eight innings for the Colonels. He had four strikeouts to go along with five runs allowed off nine hits. Jones relieved Basham at the start of the ninth and finished the game after striking out two batters and allowing only one hit.
Centre's offense looked good as four different players posted multiple hit games. Moore and Jones both had three hits. Jones also batted in multiple runners.
Centre, 4-2, will face Northern Ohio in a three game match up starting Saturday, March 10 at Wright Park in Danville, Ky.
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